The Damen-built 67m Fast Yacht Support vessel, GARÇON, has won the ISS Awards of Distinction for Innovation at the International Superyacht Society Awards Gala in Fort Lauderdale.

GARÇON came out top of an industry-led voting process that assessed five shortlisted entries in the competitive and broad-ranging Innovation category. According to the International Superyacht Society: “The Excellence in Innovation award is given to an individual or business that has demonstrated innovation in their endeavours within the previous year.”

GARÇON was designed and customised according to the requirements of the client, the owner of an 87m luxury superyacht. The vessel’s innovative ‘axe bow’ and underwater body shape enable her to reach speeds between 18-25 knots in all sea states, making this a fast and dependable support ship - whatever the weather. GARÇON, whose sale was brokered by owner’s representative Moran Yacht & Ship, has 235 m² deck space for toys such as tenders, jet skis and sailing dinghies. In addition, the vast deck space makes room for a fully certified helipad with 5000 kg take-off weight for commercial use.

Sales and marketing of the Damen range of Yacht Support vessels is handled by Amels, and there to receive the award on behalf of GARÇON, was Amels CEO Rob Luijendijk with Sales Manager

Johan Kaasjager, along with Mark Vermeulen, Director of Damen’s Yacht Support Division. Luijendijk commented: “It is a great honour for us that the International Superyacht Society recognises the significance of this concept developed by Damen and Amels.

“The Sea Axe is a patented hull design,” added Luijendijk. “But what makes GARÇON so special is her combination of high performance, purpose-built configuration for the client, along with great looks and yacht-quality finish.”

With three Yacht Support vessels already delivered and another four under construction, Damen has responded to growing interest and demand with the creation of a specialised Yacht Support Department headed up by Mark Vermeulen. “Following the success of the SEA AXE vessels, we have expanded the range up to 90 metres in length, with our Yacht Support vessels based on proven heavy-duty platforms, such as Damen’s Offshore Patrol Vessel and Worldwide Support Vessel,” said Vermeulen. “With a ship of these proportions, almost anything is possible. With an inside and outside combined deck space of 800 square metres, these vessels give you huge capacity. And like GARÇON, they look great too. The perfect complement to a luxury superyacht.”

Amels is the exclusive yacht-building member of the Dutch Damen Shipyards Group, established in 1927 and now the largest shipyard in the Netherlands. Damen consists of 40 shipyards throughout the world and employs over 8,000 people in 35 countries. In 2012 the Group delivered over 150 vessels, and generated a turnover of €1.7 billion.

Tags: Damen Shipyards